Jul 176 min read

The Most Interesting FBS Games to See in Texas in 2024

Football is king in Texas. Always has been. The latest phase of realignment emphasizes that as some of the state's top athletic brands find themselves in stronger conferences. These moves also bring about the return of classic college football rivalries and opportunities for new rivalries to emerge.

Here are the top FBS games to see in the state of Texas this season.

Red River Rivalry: The SEC Edition

Oklahoma vs. Texas, noon EST, Oct. 12 in Dallas

Not only is the Red River Rivalry an annual tradition that appears on most college football fans' bucket lists, but there is an added allure as both schools debut in the Southeastern Conference this season. Texas won the Big 12 Conference and made the College Football Playoff last year, but Oklahoma was the only team to get the better of the Longhorns in the regular season.

FBS Games to see in Texas — ©BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY NETWORK

The game draws quite a crowd every year (about 92,300 for the game alone) and is an annual tradition that takes place at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas during the State Fair of Texas. The historic stadium is under renovations but will be open for the game and gives a genuine sense of the significance of the rivalry. The surrounding fanfare at Fair Park helps draw the immense crowds, even some who attend just for its proximity to the State Fair (aproximately 200,000 additional people).

Texas' Home Test

Georgia at Texas, Oct. 19

The biggest test from a new conference opponent for Texas will come when Georgia visits Austin in October. Experts have had this game pegged since the updated SEC schedules that included Texas and Oklahoma were announced, and the recent playoff history of both the Longhorns and the Bulldogs has increased anticipation for this one.

Texas won the most recent meeting between the schools, 28-21, in 2018 and holds a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series. Georgia will be on the path to regaining control of the SEC after falling short of the playoff last season, and a win over the Bulldogs would be a dramatic announcement to the rest of the conference that the Longhorns have arrived and mean business.

Lone Star Showdown Returns

Texas at Texas A&M, Nov. 30

A rivalry of two schools that absolutely hate each other returns after a 12-year break. Since joining the SEC in 2012, Texas A&M has felt like it has had bragging rights over Texas with its affiliation alone, but that all changes as the Longhorns join the conference this season. Both universities have mentioned how much they are looking forward to renewing their rivalry, and fans should be excited, too.

The programs enter the season in different phases of their development, but all bets are off when it comes to games that mean this much to either team. Tickets will be in high demand and things could get out of control. The only thing missing will be that it is not played on Thanksgiving, as has been tradition, but that won't keep it from being one of the most highly-anticipated FBS games in Texas this season.

Southwest Classic

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M, Sept. 28, Arlington, Tex.

A&M and Arkansas began their rivalry in 1927 and played annually from 1934 through 1991. Now known as the "Southwest Classic," the rivalry game has been held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington 12 times since its return in 2009. Texas A&M has won eight of those 12 matchups and enters 2024 with a two-game winning streak over the Razorbacks.

While the product on the field hasn't often lived up to the hype, the vibe around the stadium makes up for it. Fans of both squads pile into the iconic stadium and make it as loud as it could be on either campus. It's also an opportunity for Arkansas coach Sam Pittman to get a quality win and for A&M head coach Mike Elko to earn an early conference victory.

ACC Champ vs. ACC Newcomer

Florida State at SMU, Sept. 28

SMU's biggest and most notable game of its inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference football schedule comes at home in late September. The defending ACC champion Florida State Seminoles, who narrowly missed last season's CFP field, come to Dallas and will be the Mustangs' first official ACC opponent.

The draw of such a successful program coming to the Hilltop to welcome SMU as a new member of the conference should be enough in itself to attract one of SMU's best crowds in decades—possibly ever. And then there's the renowned tailgates on the boulevard, now commonly known as "boulevarding," and the fact that these two schools have never played a football game against each other.

It's sure to be a party college football fans won't want to miss. Plus, both teams will put great products on the field, and SMU will see where it stacks up among the ACC's elite programs.

Mike Elko's Aggie Debut

Notre Dame at Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. EST, Aug. 31

The eyes of the college football world will be on this one as a primetime matchup in Week 1. The history of Notre Dame football has consistently put the Irish in the national spotlight, to the point where they have their own media deals and it is better for them to remain independent amid the current realignment climate (and will likely remain so until only the Big Ten Conference and the SEC remain).

The raucous atmosphere of a 102,733-seat Kyle Field and the debut of Elko, a former Notre Dame assistant, add to the intrigue. Notre Dame wants to remain an elite program, while Texas A&M wants to join the elites of the SEC after the underachievement of the Jimbo Fisher era. There will undoubtedly be plenty of overreactions following this one, but each team's performance will set the tone for its early season success.

Texas A&M won the most recent meeting between the universities in 2001. Elko lost by a touchdown to the Irish with Duke last season.

Battle for the Iron Skillet

TCU at SMU, Sept. 21

The Horned Frogs and Mustangs have played the "Battle for the Iron Skillet" since 1915. Yet, this year will be the penultimate matchup as the rivalry is expected to end after the 2025 season. It's unfortunate as both schools have now risen to the Power Four level, but rivalries have become a common casualty of conference realignment.

What turned out to be an 11-win, conference champion SMU team lost to a five-win TCU team 34-17 in Fort Worth, Texas, last season. Listening to coach Rhett Lashlee talk about the Mustangs' performance postgame, it was clear they had expected to win and had the opportunities to make the plays.

Recruiting also plays a common factor in this game. SMU recently flipped TCU four-star quarterback commit Ty Hawkins, and several players have played for both schools. With many players returning and a boatload of quality transfers joining the fold, can SMU pull out the win and make a case to be DFW's premier FBS team?

Bluebonnet Battle

TCU at Baylor, Nov. 2

TCU and Baylor announced the new nickname for their rivalry along with a rivalry trophy just before last year's meeting, which TCU won 42-17 in Fort Worth.

While last year's game was a blowout, the two schools have had some games come down to the wire in prior seasons and are separated by just 87 miles on Interstate 35. Baylor almost ended TCU's playoff hopes in 2022, but a last second miracle drive gave the Horned Frogs a 29-28 win.

Other notable moments in the rivalry include a triple overtime nail-biter (2019), a double overtime upset by TCU (2015), game-winning field goals from Chris Callahan (2014) and Aaron Jones (2011) and more. Expectations vary for both squads, but history says it'll be a game worth keeping an eye on.

Deion Returns to Texas, Big 12

Colorado at Texas Tech, Nov. 19

Former Dallas Cowboy Deion Sanders returned to the Lone Star State last year and defeated TCU in its season opener. As a new member of the Big 12, Sanders and the Buffaloes make just one trip to Texas in 2024—visiting Texas Tech in November.

A former Cowboy returning to the state is always going to bring interest to a game, and this should be no different. Colorado and Texas Tech have met 10 times in the past, each winning five. The Red Raiders came away with a win in their last meeting in 2010.

Rising Programs

UTSA at Texas State, 4 p.m. EST, Sept. 7

Two up-and-coming Texas football programs meet in San Marcos early in the season. Texas State is coming off its best season in program history with eight wins, including a season-opening victory over Baylor. Meanwhile, UTSA has won at least nine games in each of the last three seasons, won a bowl game for the first time and should compete in the American Athletic Conference once again.

"The I-35 Rivalry" is a newer, lesser-known rivalry game but has produced great games. It has been played five times, with four matchups decided by seven points or less. However, Texas State has never won.

Last season, UTSA pulled away for a 20-13 victory after being tied at 10 at the half. The 2020 meeting was Texas State's best chance at a win, falling 51-48 in double overtime after missing a 20-yard field goal.